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Turnip the Beet Nominations Available

The California Department of Education (CDE) encourages Summer Meal Program (SMP) Operators to submit their nominations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2026 Turnip the Beet Award.

Nomination packets are due to the CDE by September 11, 2026. We look forward to hearing about the great summer meal programs that were implemented throughout our state during summer 2026!

About the Turnip the Beet Award

The Turnip the Beet Award honors and recognizes outstanding SMP Operators who work hard during the summer months to offer high quality, appealing, and nutritious meals to children. The award is open to all SMP Operators that participate in the Summer Food Service Program or the Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program and meet the USDA Turnip the Beet criteria. For more information on this award and the requirements, please visit the USDA Turnip the Beet! High-Quality Summer Meals Award Program web page External link opens in new window or tab..

How to Apply

Please visit the USDA Turnip the Beet! High-Quality Summer Meals Award nomination form for summer 2026 web page External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF). Nominations must contain all the requested information to be considered for an award.

Note that the USDA requires all nominations to include a one-month menu. Please submit your completed nomination forms to SFSP@cde.ca.gov.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact the Summer Nutrition Programs and Grants Unit by email at SFSP@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
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    Information about the federal Seamless Summer Option opportunity that allows public schools to combine features of the School Nutrition Programs and the Summer Food Service Program along with reduced paperwork requirements.
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